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Line fault at the outlet -- do I need an electrician?

Yesterday, I got a Panamax, Max 1500 surge protector and line conditioner. (I got a very good deal on it, and am just trying it out.)

I plugged it into an outlet I've been using for a while and one of the red lights on the front lit up saying "line fault." (I'm not sure how this is different from a "ground fault." Maybe it's the same.) The Panamax does not do this with other outlets in the room. They seem ok.

So, I know this means that the outlet is improperly wired. My question is, might this be a simple thing to check and/or fix? Any suggestions most appreciated. It's the only outlet I can use to have my audio set up where I usually have it. Now is not an optimal time to call an electrician. If this is a big problem, I'll try out my gear somewhere else in the room, but if I can fix this without too much expertise, that would be ideal.
128x128hilde45
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
It’s two different outlets that have the fault -- one feeds the next one.

This right here is the single biggest problem with audiophile quality power: the daisy chain. When running a dedicated line this is the biggest benefit by far, the elimination of all these extra connections in the power path. Its not so much that voltage improves, although in your case it sounds like it might, but the elimination of a lot of connections and all the micro-arcing and eddy currents that go along with them.

DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING IN THE PANEL BOX!


Right. Whatever you do, do not remove the inner panel cover. Do not remove all the circuit breakers. Do not paste expensive goo all over the bus bars. Do not connect anything other than to code. No matter how good it makes your system sound. Just don’t. Lol!

Oh and whatever you do, DO NOT run 240V to a step down transformer, and hard wire it to a home brew mess of a conditioner. DO NOT DO THIS! ROTFLMFAO!
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
Thanks for the safety suggestions, all. I aim to have a dedicated line but that has to wait on some home renovations. At the moment, I just want to locate my gear where the shelves, etc. are -- but that's where the weird outlets are. I'll be careful.
erik_squires
16,142 posts
 
It does sound like your wiring is reversed.... but!!!

It may also be you have a bad neutral.  The 4 volts should be zero. It indicates you have higher than normal resistance on that wire.  This could happen from bad screw connections or bad twist-on connector.

When you finish reversing, check again. If still 4 volts, chase that down.
erik_squires
16,142 posts
 
If your circuit comes from a sub panel, the 4 V may need you to get an electrician.  I'm not sure what the requirements are, whether 4V is OK, but it does signal higher than necessary resistance, and that means you'll be ever so slightly power constrained.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
@Hilde45, when you measured the 4 volt difference between safety ground and the miswired "hot" terminal on the outlets was some or all of the equipment plugged in at the time? If so, I think it would be worthwhile to repeat that measurement with the equipment unplugged. In addition to the possible causes Erik has cited for the 4 volt measurement I’m thinking that applying 120 volts to the neutral of whatever equipment was plugged in could have resulted in AC leakage to ground within the component(s) that might have been responsible.

Jim ( @jea48 ), does that sound plausible to you?

Good luck. Best regards,
-- Al

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